Activity Library

Access the Isolation Activity Library here: https://www.theorbispaceinitiative.com/isolationactivities

Technology is responsible for ongoing advancements in the areas of education, health, culture and business. But while innovation is accelerating growth in metropolitan areas, it is also driving some communities further apart. For students living in rural and regional parts of the country, many opportunities are lost due to deficits in infrastructure and digital culture. However, with the recent impacts of COVID-19 sending cities into lockdown, new e-learning goals have begun to align with those that have so long been championed by communities outside of urban spaces. 

Now, more than ever, our nation is building a national awareness of the need for technology which connects us and sustains the many facets of our social, economic and educational lives, regardless of distance or location. Institutions and business leaders in almost every sector are bringing their products and services into the digital world. And when it comes to kids, so much of the content is free! In order to leverage these new resources and amplify their impact, we have brought together the most innovative and interesting STEAM activities for young people to access online during isolation. In doing so, we hope to meet three key objectives: 

1. To demonstrate the value of technology for overcoming physical and social barriers, and to mobilise our community to access and support institutions / businesses that are using digital innovation to deliver products and services to young people regardless of their location. Our hope is that our community will be part of proving out the use case for these digital experiences and demonstrating their value so to ensure that digital inclusion continues to be the focus of industry leaders long after the isolation period is over. 
2. To help young innovators to expand their understanding of the value of, and wide range of applications for, technology across many diverse sectors and industries. Data collected from students at previous TOI female leadership events demonstrated a popular perception of the technology as siloed off, or separate from, other creative industries. Therefore, many young women did not identify an important intersection between technology and their chosen fields of interest. The range of content and activities made available in this library will provide current examples of how a broad range of industries, particularly the arts, are heavily reliant on innovation and have incorporated new forms of digital media into their works. 
3. To encourage young innovators to feel more empowered to identify and interact with a diverse range of digital media that supports and expands their education. By working collaboratively with our community of innovators, educators and business leaders, The Orbispace Initiative will identify quality online content and provide an accessible online channel that makes it easy for students to grow their awareness of what's available to them.